Archived Information

OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE OUR NATION’S SCHOOLS PROGRAM

(OPTIONS)
Goal: To identify and support innovative approaches to high-quality public school choice by providing financial assistance for the
demonstration, development, implementation, evaluation of, and dissemination of information about public school choice projects
that stimulate educational innovation for all public schools and contribute to standards-based school reform efforts.
Relationship of Program to Volume 1, Department-wide Objectives: The OPTIONS Program supports Objective 1.6 (greater public school choice will be available to
students and families) of the Department’s Strategic Plan. The program, if authorized, will provide financial assistance for high-quality public school choice options that
are accessible to all children. The objectives address the need for a variety of innovative approaches to high-quality school choice in public schools, and how well the
program promotes access to public school choice for all students.
FY 2001—$20,000,000 (Requested budget)

OBJECTIVE 1: SUPPORT INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO HIGH-QUALITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE.

Indicator 1.1 There will be increasing varieties of public school choice programs offered to students and parents.
Targets and Performance Data Assessment of Progress Sources and Data Quality
Number of students enrolled in participating public school choice programs: Status: Unable to judge. Source: Proposed program—no source
Year Actual Performance Performance Targets identified yet.
FY 1999: No data available No specific target set Explanation: There are no data because this is a Frequency: Not applicable.
FY 2000: Continuing increase proposed program in the Administration’s Next Update: Not applicable.
FY 2001: Continuing increase proposal to reauthorize the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act. Validation Procedure: Not applicable.

Limitation of Data and Planned

Improvements: Not applicable.

OBJECTIVE 2: PROMOTE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAMS FOR ALL STUDENTS.
Indicator 2.1 The number of students (including poor, minority, those with limited English proficiency, and those with disabilities) enrolled in public school
choice programs will increase in participating states and districts.
Targets and Performance Data Assessment of Progress Sources and Data Quality
Number of students enrolled in participating public school choice programs: Status: Unable to judge. Source: Proposed program—no source
Year Actual Performance Performance Targets identified yet.
FY 1999: No data available No specific target set Explanation: There are no data because this is a Frequency: Not applicable.
FY 2000: Continuing increase proposed program in the Administration’s Next Update: Not applicable.
FY 2001: Continuing increase proposal to reauthorize the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act. Validation Procedure: Not applicable.

Limitation of Data and Planned

Improvements: Not applicable.

OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE OUR NATION’S SCHOOLS PROGRAM (OPTIONS) PAGE D-45

KEY STRATEGIES
Strategies Continued from 1999
None.

New or Strengthened Strategies

™ Provide support, information, and technical assistance through outreach meetings and the ED Web site.
™ Support studies of public school choice programs and evaluations of the OPTIONS program.

HOW THIS PROGRAM COORDINATES WITH OTHER FEDERAL ACTIVITIES

™ Not applicable because this is a proposed program.

CHALLENGES TO ACHIEVING PROGRAM GOAL

™ Not applicable because this is a proposed program.

INDICATOR CHANGES
From FY 1999 Annual Plan (two years old)
Adjusted—None.
Dropped—None.
From FY 2000 Annual Plan (last year’s)
Adjusted—None.
Dropped—None.
New—None.

PAGE D-46 OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE OUR NATION’S SCHOOLS PROGRAM (OPTIONS)